Samsung Launches a Gamepad for Android

Following Apple's support for third-party gamepads with its iOS 7 update, Samsung has introduced its own gamepad for Android phones.

The ‘Smartphone GamePad' syncs up with your Android-powered phone via Bluetooth, unlike Apple's gamepads which need to be physically attached. While designed with Galaxy owners in mind, all phones powered by Android 4.1 with a screen size of 4 to 6.3 inches will be able to use the pad. To make things easier for early adopters, Samsung has included a list of all games on the Google Play Store compatible with the gamepad, and will update the list as games are added.

The GamePad has been significantly redesigned since its initial reveal earlier this year, and the final version sports a curvaceous design, pair of analogue sticks, eight-way directional pad, four buttons and the usual shoulder triggers. Hitting the "play" button in the centre of the pad will launch you into Samsung's accompanying Mobile Console app, where you'll be able purchase compatible games.

Currently, the GamePad is only available in Europe, with no firm word as to when it'll be released in other markets.

Lucy O'Brien is Entertainment Editor at IGN AU. Follow her ramblings on IGN or Twitter.